Jamie Murray backs pal Ross Hutchins to make full recovery from cancer

THE tennis star teamed up with Hutchins' customary doubles partner at the Australian Open.

JAMIE MURRAY last night backed his pal Ross Hutchins to make a full recovery from cancer.

British doubles specialist Hutchins was diagnosed with cancer on December 27 and has started chemotherapy in a bid to beat the killer disease.

Murray teamed up with Hutchins’s usual doubles partner, Colin Fleming, at the Australian Open yesterday but the duo lost out 7-5 7-5 to Michael Kohlmann and Jarkko Nieminen.

Murray, now down to world No.78 in doubles and without a regular partner for two years, has personal experience of someone close to him beating cancer.

And he reckons Hutchins’s illness has given him a new outlook on life. Murray said: “It’s a shocking thing to happen, especially when it happens to someone you know so close.

“My wife’s aunt had the same thing last year and she made a full recovery. I’m sure he’ll do the same.

“It just shows you, you’ve got to make the most of your days, because you just never know.

“You must take your opportunities and enjoy the life you have because anything can happen.”

Linlithgow’s Fleming, who has won three ATP titles with Hutchins since 2010, said: “I have been in contact with Ross pretty much every day. It’s inspirational how well he’s doing.

“He’s tired and is enjoying being at home to rest up. But it’s amazing, he is nothing but positive and nothing but strong.

“He wants everyone to do well. He’s not begrudging of anyone who’s playing. He wishes everyone well and everyone wishes him well.

“I’m sure he’s going to get through it and be back on the court. That’s what we all want.”

Fleming teamed up with Brazilian Bruno Soares to win the Auckland ATP title and then played in Brisbane and Melbourne with Murray.

The two Scots last played together in the Davis Cup in March 2011 but yesterday, despite having two set points in the first set, they went down to Kohlmann and Nieminen.

The immediate future is not so clear and Fleming, who is hoping to enter the mixed doubles in Melbourne with Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens, said: “Right now, I don’t have a plan. I’d like to play in America.”

Murray, who played the Olympics with his brother, Andy, is seeking a long-term partner.

The London-based Scot said: “You have peace of mind if you have continuity. I hope someone comes along who wants commitment.”